Sport sports betting industry wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if consumers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
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Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies since individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be cautious about'."
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'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
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According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on prospective concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much helpful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report

ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission

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